<PAGE>   1

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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                            ------------------------

                                   FORM 10-Q

                            ------------------------

                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000

                        COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 01-10920

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER.)

<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>

                   DELAWARE                                      02-0451017
       (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
        INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                      IDENTIFICATION NO.)

   ONE LIBERTY LANE, HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE                        03842
   (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                      (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>

       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (603) 926-5911

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days:  Yes [X]  No [ ].

     The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at May 1, 2000 was
40,094,979.

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<PAGE>   2

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                   FORM 10-Q
                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2000

                                     INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE NO.
                                                              --------
<S>                                                           <C>
PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Item 1 -- Financial Statements:
  Introduction to the Financial Statements..................      2
  Statement of Operations -- Three Months Ended March 31,
     2000 and 1999..........................................      3
  Balance Sheet -- March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999.....      4
  Statement of Cash Flows -- Three Months Ended March 31,
     2000 and 1999..........................................      5
  Notes to Financial Statements.............................      6
Item 2 -- Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of
  Operations and Financial Condition........................      8
Item 3 -- Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About
  Market Risk...............................................     10
PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION:
Item 6 -- Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K..................     11
SIGNATURE...................................................     12
EXHIBIT INDEX...............................................     13
</TABLE>

                                        1
<PAGE>   3

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                        PART 1 -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 -- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                    INTRODUCTION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     The financial statements included herein have been prepared by Fisher
Scientific International Inc. ("Fisher" or the "Company"), without audit,
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The
December 31, 1999 balance sheet is the balance sheet included in the audited
financial statements as shown in the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading when read in conjunction with the financial statements
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1999.

     The financial information presented herein reflects all adjustments
(consisting only of normal-recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of
management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim
periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

                                        2
<PAGE>   4

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                            STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    (IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  MARCH 31,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               2000       1999
                                                              -------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Sales.......................................................  $641.9     $600.9
Cost of sales...............................................   459.9      427.4
Selling, general and administrative expense.................   142.6      133.2
Loss from operations to be disposed of......................      --        8.7
                                                              ------     ------
Income from operations......................................    39.4       31.6
Interest expense............................................    25.7       26.8
Other income, net...........................................     1.7        2.6
                                                              ------     ------
Income before income taxes..................................    15.4        7.4
Income tax provision........................................     6.9        3.9
                                                              ------     ------
Net income..................................................  $  8.5     $  3.5
                                                              ======     ======
Earnings per common share:
  Basic.....................................................  $ 0.21     $ 0.09
                                                              ======     ======
  Diluted...................................................  $ 0.19     $ 0.08
                                                              ======     ======
</TABLE>

              See the accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                        3
<PAGE>   5

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                 BALANCE SHEET
                                 (IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               MARCH 31,     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                 2000            1999
                                                              -----------    ------------
                                                              (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                           <C>            <C>
                                         ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................    $   55.2       $   50.3
  Receivables, net..........................................       276.8          286.1
  Inventories...............................................       241.7          223.3
  Other current assets......................................        65.9           75.1
                                                                --------       --------
     Total current assets...................................       639.6          634.8
Property, plant and equipment, net..........................       252.0          247.5
Goodwill....................................................       347.3          356.2
Other assets................................................       164.8          164.1
                                                                --------       --------
     Total assets...........................................    $1,403.7       $1,402.6
                                                                ========       ========
                          LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Current liabilities
  Short-term debt...........................................    $   42.0       $   41.7
  Accounts payable..........................................       312.4          307.6
  Accrued and other current liabilities.....................       160.0          170.2
                                                                --------       --------
     Total current liabilities..............................       514.4          519.5
Long-term debt..............................................     1,015.6        1,011.1
Other liabilities...........................................       203.4          202.6
                                                                --------       --------
     Total liabilities......................................     1,733.4        1,733.2
                                                                --------       --------
Commitments and contingencies...............................          --             --
Stockholders' deficit:
  Preferred stock...........................................          --             --
  Common stock..............................................         0.4            0.4
  Capital in excess of par value............................       316.9          315.8
  Accumulated deficit.......................................      (586.1)        (594.6)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss......................       (60.6)         (51.6)
  Treasury stock............................................        (0.3)          (0.6)
                                                                --------       --------
     Total stockholders' deficit............................      (329.7)        (330.6)
                                                                --------       --------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit............    $1,403.7       $1,402.6
                                                                ========       ========
</TABLE>

              See the accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                        4
<PAGE>   6

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                            STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN MILLIONS)
                                  (UNAUDITED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                  MARCH 31,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               2000       1999
                                                              -------    -------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income................................................  $  8.5     $  3.5
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in
     operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    15.9       15.3
     (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
      and write-off of assets...............................     0.2       (2.0)
     Deferred income taxes..................................     0.6       (1.0)
     Changes in working capital:
       Receivables, net.....................................   (23.5)     (16.0)
       Inventories..........................................   (10.2)     (10.4)
       Payables, accrued and other current liabilities......    (2.7)     (26.3)
       Other working capital changes........................     9.1       (2.2)
     Net cash flow from operations to be disposed of........      --        2.8
     Other assets and liabilities...........................    (4.2)      (3.9)
                                                              ------     ------
       Cash used in operating activities....................    (6.3)     (40.2)
                                                              ------     ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired........................   (20.5)     (41.9)
  Capital expenditures......................................    (4.7)      (9.0)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment.......     0.2        3.7
                                                              ------     ------
       Cash used in investing activities....................   (25.0)     (47.2)
                                                              ------     ------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from common stock options........................     0.2         --
  Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization, net.....    31.1       49.5
  Proceeds from long-term debt..............................     7.1        5.8
  Payments of long-term debt................................    (0.7)      (1.5)
  Changes in short-term debt, net...........................    (0.7)       2.9
                                                              ------     ------
       Cash provided by financing activities................    37.0       56.7
                                                              ------     ------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash.....................    (0.8)      (2.5)
                                                              ------     ------
Net change in cash and cash equivalents.....................     4.9      (33.2)
Cash and cash equivalents -- beginning of period............    50.3       65.6
                                                              ------     ------
Cash and cash equivalents -- end of period..................  $ 55.2     $ 32.4
                                                              ======     ======
</TABLE>

              See the accompanying notes to financial statements.
                                        5
<PAGE>   7

                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 -- NATURE OF BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     Fisher Scientific International Inc. ("Fisher" or the "Company") was formed
in September 1991. The Company's operations are conducted throughout North and
South America, Europe, the Far East, the Middle East and Africa through one or
more subsidiaries, joint ventures, agents and dealers. The Company is managed in
three business segments: domestic distribution, international distribution, and
laboratory workstations. The domestic and international distribution segments
engage in the supply, marketing, service and manufacture of scientific,
clinical, educational, and occupational health and safety products. The
laboratory workstations segment manufactures and sells laboratory workstations,
fume hoods, and computer (LAN) furniture.

     Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to their
current presentation.

NOTE 2 -- ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

     In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities," which will be effective for the Company for fiscal
years beginning January 1, 2001. Management does not anticipate that the
adoption of this statement will have a material effect on the Company's
financial statements.

NOTE 3 -- INVENTORIES

     The following is a summary of inventories by major category (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       MARCH 31,    DECEMBER 31,
                                                         2000           1999
                                                       ---------    ------------
<S>                                                    <C>          <C>
Raw material.........................................   $ 26.8         $ 21.8
Work in process......................................      6.9            2.7
Finished products....................................    208.0          198.8
                                                        ------         ------
Total................................................   $241.7         $223.3
                                                        ======         ======
</TABLE>

NOTE 4 -- COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

     The following is a summary of comprehensive loss for the three months ended
March 31, 2000 and 1999 (in millions). Comprehensive loss components included in
stockholders' deficit include any changes in equity during a period that are not
the result of transactions with the Company's stockholders.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                         ----------------------
                                                         MARCH 31,    MARCH 31,
                                                           2000         1999
                                                         ---------    ---------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>
Net income.............................................    $ 8.5        $ 3.5
Foreign currency translation adjustment................     (9.0)        (6.3)
                                                           -----        -----
Comprehensive loss.....................................    $(0.5)       $(2.8)
                                                           =====        =====
</TABLE>

                                        6
<PAGE>   8
                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

NOTE 5 -- EARNINGS PER SHARE

     The following is a reconciliation of the shares used in the computation of
basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2000
and 1999 (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              THREE MONTHS
                                                                 ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                              ------------
                                                              2000    1999
                                                              ----    ----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding used in
  the computation of basic earnings per share...............  40.1    40.0
Common stock equivalents(a).................................   4.6     2.9
                                                              ----    ----
Shares used in the computation of diluted earnings per
  share.....................................................  44.7    42.9
                                                              ====    ====
</TABLE>

---------------
(a) The amount of outstanding antidilutive common stock options and warrants
    excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three
    months ended March 31, 1999 was 2.8 million. No options or warrants were
    excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three
    months ended March 31, 2000.

NOTE 6 -- RESTRUCTURING

     In the fourth quarter of 1999, the Company recorded a $1.5 million net
restructuring credit, which consisted of $2.1 million of restructuring charges
related to its long-term restructuring plan and a $3.6 million reversal of prior
period restructuring charges due to revised estimates. The 1999 charge related
to the consolidation of certain locations of the Company's German operations.
The balance of the restructuring accrual at December 31, 1999 was $2.1 million.
Spending against this accrual was $0.4 million during the three months ended
March 31, 2000.

     At December 31, 1999, the Company also had $7.9 million of accruals
remaining from restructuring charges recorded in years prior to 1999. These
plans were substantially completed at December 31, 1999. The remaining accruals
relate to long-term lease and severance obligations. Spending against these
accruals was $1.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2000.

NOTE 7 -- SEGMENT INFORMATION

     Selected business segment financial information for the three months ended
March 31, 2000 and 1999 is shown below (in millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         INCOME FROM
                                                         SALES            OPERATIONS
                                                    ----------------    --------------
                                                     2000      1999     2000     1999
                                                    ------    ------    -----    -----
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Domestic distribution.............................  $522.7    $474.8    $36.6    $32.6
International distribution........................   119.0     120.0      1.9      1.2
Laboratory workstations...........................    36.1      40.9      1.2      5.9
Technology........................................      --        --       --     (8.7)
Eliminations......................................   (35.9)    (34.8)    (0.3)     0.6
                                                    ------    ------    -----    -----
  Total...........................................  $641.9    $600.9    $39.4    $31.6
                                                    ======    ======    =====    =====
</TABLE>

     Income from operations is revenue less related costs and direct and
allocated expenses. Intercompany sales and transfers between segments were not
material for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999.

                                        7
<PAGE>   9

ITEM 2 -- MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
FINANCIAL CONDITION

     This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's actual results could differ materially from
those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Certain factors that might
cause such a difference include those discussed in the section entitled
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition -- Cautionary Factors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" contained
in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking
events discussed in the report might not occur.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following table sets forth the Company's sales and income from
operations by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999 (in
millions):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         INCOME FROM
                                                         SALES            OPERATIONS
                                                    ----------------    --------------
                                                     2000      1999     2000     1999
                                                    ------    ------    -----    -----
<S>                                                 <C>       <C>       <C>      <C>
Domestic distribution.............................  $522.7    $474.8    $36.6    $32.6
International distribution........................   119.0     120.0      1.9      1.2
Laboratory workstations...........................    36.1      40.9      1.2      5.9
Technology........................................      --        --       --     (8.7)
Eliminations......................................   (35.9)    (34.8)    (0.3)     0.6
                                                    ------    ------    -----    -----
  Total...........................................  $641.9    $600.9    $39.4    $31.6
                                                    ======    ======    =====    =====
</TABLE>

  Sales

     Sales for the three months ended March 31, 2000 increased 6.8% to $641.9
million from $600.9 million for the comparable period in 1999. Sales growth in
the domestic distribution segment was primarily due to internal sales growth.
Sales decline in the international distribution segment was due to the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar against the major European currencies. Sales
decline in the laboratory workstations segment was due to a shift in product mix
in its market. This shift in product mix may continue for the remainder of 2000.

  Gross Profit

     Fisher's gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2000 increased
4.9% to $182.0 million from $173.5 million for the comparable period in 1999,
primarily as a result of increased sales volume. Gross profit as a percent of
sales decreased to 28.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 from 28.9%
for the comparable period in 1999. The reduction in gross profit as a percent of
sales is primarily the result of the change in the mix of products sold in the
laboratory workstations market.

  Selling, General and Administrative Expense

     Selling, general and administrative expense for the three months ended
March 31, 2000 increased 7.1% to $142.6 million from $133.2 million for the
comparable period in 1999. The increase in selling, general and administrative
expense in 2000 is primarily due to increased sales volume. Selling, general and
administrative expense as a percentage of sales was 22.2% for both the three
months ended March 31, 2000 and 1999.

     The international distribution segment continues to have significantly
higher selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales as
compared with those of Fisher's domestic distribution segment.

                                        8
<PAGE>   10

     On March 8, 2000, the Company announced that it had combined its e-commerce
activities into a new subsidiary, Alchematrix. The Company anticipates an
increase in operating expenses in 2000 associated with Alchematrix as the
Company increases its investment in e-commerce technology, services, and sales
and marketing.

  Loss From Operations to be Disposed of

     In December 1998 the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to
dispose of the Company's technology business segment. The disposition was
completed through the distribution to the Company's stockholders of ProcureNet
on April 15, 1999 and the sale of the UniKix Technology software business on
July 22, 1999. The results of operations of this segment are reported separately
in the statement of operations. Loss from operations to be disposed of includes
a $5.2 million write-off of in-process research and development costs associated
with an acquisition made during the first quarter of 1999.

  Income Tax Provision

     The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2000 was $6.9
million compared with $3.9 million for the corresponding period in 1999. The
effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2000 was 45%
compared with 53% for the corresponding period in 1999. The decrease in the
effective tax rate in 2000 is primarily due to a reduction in foreign losses for
which no tax benefits were recorded in 1999 and a reduction in one-time
permanent nondeductible items.

  Net Income

     Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2000 increased to $8.5
million from $3.5 million for the comparable period in 1999, due to the factors
discussed above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the Company's operations used
$6.3 million of cash compared with $40.2 million of cash for the same period in
1999. This change in cash used by operating activities is primarily due to
decreased income tax payments in 2000 combined with a $11 million customer
advance received in conjunction with an acquisition during 2000 and to higher
net income earned in 2000.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the Company used $25.0
million of cash for investing activities compared with $47.2 million for the
same period in 1999. The decrease in cash used for investing activities is
primarily due to a decrease in acquisition spending. During 2000, the Company
acquired a manufacturing facility for $20.5 million. During 1999, the Company
completed two acquisitions and acquired the remaining shares of Bioblock
Scientific S.A. for an aggregate net purchase price of $41.9 million. The
acquisitions were funded with cash on hand and through the sale of receivables
under a receivables securitization facility. The Company anticipates its 2000
annual capital expenditures will be at a similar level as 1999 capital
expenditures.

     During the three months ended March 31, 2000, the Company's financing
activities provided $37.0 million of cash compared with $56.7 million of cash
for the same period in 1999. Financing activities in both periods primarily
relate to the sale of receivables under a receivables securitization facility.

     The Company expects that cash flows from operations, together with cash and
cash equivalents on hand and funds available under existing credit facilities,
will be sufficient to meet ongoing operating and capital expenditure
requirements.

ITEM 3 -- QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

     The Company's primary interest rate exposures relate to its cash, fixed and
variable rate debt and interest rate swaps. The potential loss in fair values is
based on an immediate change in the net present values of the Company's interest
rate sensitive exposures resulting from a 10% change in interest rates. The
potential loss in cash flows and earnings is based on the change in the net
interest income/expense over a one-year period due

                                        9
<PAGE>   11

to an immediate 10% change in rates. A hypothetical 10% change in interest rates
does not have a material effect on the fair values, cash flows or earnings of
the Company.

     The Company's primary currency rate exposures are to its intercompany debt,
cash and foreign currency forward contracts. The potential loss in fair values
is based on an immediate change in the U.S. dollar equivalent balances of the
Company's currency exposures due to a 10% shift in exchange rates. The potential
loss in cash flows and earnings is based on the change in cash flow and earnings
over a one-year period resulting from an immediate 10% change in currency
exchange rates. A hypothetical 10% change in the currency exchange rates does
not have a material effect on the fair values, cash flows or earnings of the
Company.

                                       10
<PAGE>   12

                          PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 6 -- EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a) Exhibits:

         Exhibit 27 -- Financial Data Schedule

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

         The Company did not file any Current Reports on Form 8-K during the
         last quarter covered by this report.

                                       11
<PAGE>   13

                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                      FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTERNATIONAL INC.

                                      /s/         PAUL M. MEISTER
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                                   Paul M. Meister
                                             Vice Chairman of the Board,
                                          Executive Vice President and Chief
                                                      Financial
                                                 Officer and Director

Date: May 15, 2000

                                       12
<PAGE>   14

                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.   DESCRIPTION
-----------   -----------
<C>           <S>
    27        Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>

                                       13